Merck quarterly results exceed outlook; 2006 estimate lifted

BOSTON (MarketWatch) -- Merck & Co. reported Monday a second-quarter net profit that more than doubled, thanks to strong sales of its cholesterol-lowering and asthma drugs, leading the pharmaceutical heavyweight to raise its financial forecast for the full year. See full story.

American Express net income falls 7%

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- American Express Co. said Monday its second-quarter net income fell 7% from a year earlier, but the credit-card giant expanded its customer base and increased revenue. See full story.

United Air parent forecasts turning a profit out of bankruptcy

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- United Airlines' parent said Monday that a better yield from higher passenger traffic would lead to a second-quarter operating profit, its first since emerging from bankruptcy protection nearly six months ago. See full story.

Doha trade talks collapse, ministers say

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- The Doha round of world trade negotiations collapsed on Monday in Geneva, with ministers from the top trade nations pointing fingers of blame at each other. See full story.

Herb Greenberg: More insights into a fraud

Global Investor: Should world instability make you rethink global exposure?

LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- A steady stream of unsettling global events -- violence in the Middle East, terror blasts in Mumbai, Iran nuclear brinkmanship and North Korea missile tests -- may understandably have U.S. investors a bit rattled over their international holdings. But financial experts say acting on the news of the day won't protect your portfolio. See full story.

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